Stackable Humanoid Toy

ABSTRACT

A stackable humanoid toy for children&#39;s play is comprised of a single molded plastic humanoid body with four fixed limbs. A pair of arms extend from a torso and are positioned in a raised upright position with the hands formed as spherical balls. A pair of flexed legs extend beneath the torso and terminate into spherical shaped feet having socket openings on their bottom surface. The foot sockets are dimensioned to frictionally mate with the spherical hands. The pair of hands and pair of feet are further horizontally equally spaced from each other. Thus one humanoid toy may be stackably linked to another by putting a hand into a foot, or a pair of hands into a pair of feet. The ball/socket joints allow for limited rotation so that one humanoid can be rotated relative to its coupling partner.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims a priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/623,337 entitled “Stackable Humanoid Toy” filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 12, 2012 by a common Inventor to this instant application, Paul Leonhardt. Further the above named Provisional Application in its entirety is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toy figurines for children's play.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a molded plastic humanoid figure having arms and legs in a predetermined configuration so that a first humanoid figure may be stackably linked on top of a second humanoid figure. Each of the two arms of the humanoid figure terminate into a spherical ball hand. Each of the two legs of the humanoid figure terminate into a foot with a ball socket. Each foot socket is configured to frictionally receive and capture a spherical ball hand of another humanoid figure. The humanoid figures may be stacked one on top of another in the series, or they may be offset as will be described in further detail below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy figurines have been a favorite object of desire for many children for many generations. They are usually made from plastic or other easily moldable substances so that they may be mass-produced. Children normally acquire many of these figurines and play with them in various imaginary scenarios. An important feature of any figurine is that it can stand on its own and maintain a specific pose or position which is set by the child. A further enhancement to any toy or figurine is the ability for the figurines to interact with each other in some meaningful manner. Physical interaction such as mechanical linking and or stacking is an important concept that allows children to create repetitious and symmetrical shapes and patterns.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The primary purpose of this invention is to promote child's play and the teaching basic mechanical principles thereof, and of patterning behavior and shapes.”

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide a simple, inexpensive, toy that demonstrates and         teaches a few basic mechanical principles,     -   (b) to provide a toy that can be mechanically connected in         series one to another and then another;     -   (c) to provide a toy with a center of mass located in a stable         position so the toy can stand erect on its own;     -   (d) to provide a toy that can be easily decorated so as to         identify any well-known personality or character; and     -   (e) to provide a toy which will stimulate and capture the         imaginations of children everywhere.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a photograph of the humanoid toy laying on its back;

FIG. 8 is a photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7 laying on its back;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view photograph of two humanoid toys stacked directly one on top of the other;

FIG. 14 is another side elevation view photograph of two humanoid toys stacked directly one on top of the other;

FIG. 15 is a further side elevation view photograph of two humanoid toys stacked directly one on top of the other;

FIG. 16 is a top side view photograph of two humanoid toys stacked in a staggered manner one on top of the other;

FIG. 17 is a top side view photograph of two humanoid toys rotateably stacked in a staggered manner one on top of the other;

FIG. 18 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views with preferred dimensions;

FIG. 19 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Skull aesthetic design;

FIG. 20 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Yeti aesthetic design;

FIG. 21 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Robot aesthetic design;

FIG. 22 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Ninja aesthetic design;

FIG. 23 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Lucha:A aesthetic design;

FIG. 24 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Toon aesthetic design;

FIG. 25 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Monkey aesthetic design;

FIG. 26 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Spiderman aesthetic design;

FIG. 27 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of The Hulk aesthetic design;

FIG. 28 is series of four elevation views showing a right side, front, left side, and back views of the Lucha:B aesthetic design;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of multiple humanoids shown in a stackable configuration;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of two humanoids shown in a stackable configuration;

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of two humanoids shown in a stackable configuration; and

FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of multiple humanoids shown in a stackable configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. The toy 10 is comprised of a torso 14 having two upright arms 20 and two semi-flexed legs 30. Each of the arms 20 terminates into a spherical ball hand 28. Each of the legs 30 terminates into a spherically shaped foot 32. Each foot 32 is flat on the bottom so that the humanoid 10 may stand in an up right position. In the bottom of each foot 32 is a socket 40 (not seen in this figure) for receiving a spherical hand 28.

Referring now to FIG. 2 a front elevation view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. The torso 14 comprises an upper body portion 12 and a lower body portion 16. The torso 14 is further defined by a top surface 11 and a bottom surface 17. Extending from the midsection of the torso 14 on opposite sides are two arms 20. Each arm 20 extends in an upright manner and is comprised of a lower arm 22, an elbow 24, and a forearm 26. Each arm 20 then terminates in a spherical ball hand 28. The arms 20 are rigidly fixed to the torso 14.

Extending from the lower body portion 16 on opposite sides are two legs 30. Each leg 30 extends from the torso 14 in a flexed manner and is comprised of a thigh 38, a knee 36, and an ankle 34. Each leg 30 then terminates in a spherically shaped foot 32. The legs 30 are rigidly fixed to the torso 14.

The humanoid toy 10 is symmetrically shaped in this view about a vertical line 50 drawn through the middle of the torso 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a left side elevation view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. In this view it can be seen that the torso 14 has a front-side 13 and a backside 15. Further it should be noted that the torso 14 is slightly curved so that the upper body 12 is bending slightly forward over the lower body 16. The feet 32 have a perfectly flat surface on their bottom so that the humanoid toy 10 may stand on its own. Also note for stability purposes that the center of mass of the humanoid toy 10 is located directly over the flat surface of the foot 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a right side elevation view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. This view is a mirror image of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a top view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. In this view it can be seen that each of the spherical hands 28 are centered directly over each of the feet 32. Thus it can be seen that a first humanoid toy 10 may be stacked on top of a second humanoid toy 10 because the horizontal lateral distance between the hands 28 is the same horizontal lateral distance as between the feet 32.

Referring now to FIG. 6 a bottom view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. In this view it can be seen that each socket 40 contained in a foot 32 is centered directly over a spherical hand 28. Also the lateral front 13 to back 15 center of mass of the torso 14 is located on a imaginary line (not shown) from the center of one foot 32 to the other foot 32.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a three-quarter top photograph view of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. The toy 10 is laying on its back and the curvature of the torso 14 is such that the upper body 12 is leaning forward as if to view the feet 32. The sockets 40 are contained in the feet 32 and dimensioned to receive the spherical ball hands 28 of another humanoid toy 10. In this series of FIGS. 11-17, the right foot 32 is missing a portion of its spherical shell and view creates a cross-sectional view of the socket 40. The interior shape and dimensions of the socket 40 are designed to frictionally capture the spherical ball hand 28.

FIG. 8 is another three-quarter top view photograph of the humanoid toy 10 showing all of the same features as in FIG. 7 and includes a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view photograph of the humanoid toy 10 showing the feet 32 and sockets 40, and includes a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a three-quarter top view photograph of the humanoid toy 10 showing a close-up view of the spherical ball hand 28.

FIG. 11 is a front view photograph of the humanoid toy 10 showing all of the same features as in FIGS. 7 & 8 and includes a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view photograph of the humanoid toy 10 showing the feet 32 and sockets 40, and includes a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable configuration. A ‘direct stack’ occurs when a first humanoid toy 60 stands directly on top of a second humanoid toy 70, such that each of the sockets 40 in the feet 32 of the first humanoid toy 60 frictionally capture the spherical ball hands 28 of the human toy 70 below.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable configuration. It should be noted that the ball 28 and socket 40 joint allows for some limited movement. FIG. 14 clearly shows the upper toy 60 has rotated forward from the vertical torso 14 plane of the lower toy 70. Note that both toys 60 & 70 are facing in the same direction, i.e., they are both facing to the left.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable configuration. Note in this photograph that the upper toy 60 is now facing to the right while the lower toy 70 is still facing to the left. The toys 60 & 70 maybe be stacked facing in either direction without any consideration for the facing direction of a toy below or above. Many, many toys 10 may be stacked in this manner theoretically to infinity.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view photograph of a pair of humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a staggered stackable configuration. A ‘staggered stack’ occurs when a first humanoid toy 60 stands on top of a second humanoid toy 70 in an offset manner, such that only one of the sockets 40 in the feet 32 of the first humanoid toy 60 frictionally capture one of the spherical ball hands 28 of the human toy 70 below.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view photograph of a pair of humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a staggered stackable configuration. The upper toy 60 has been rotated 90° from the torso 14 plane of the lower toy 70. This view demonstrates the rotational degree of freedom about a vertical axis of the spherical ball hand 28 in this staggered configuration.

FIG. 18 shows a series of four elevation views (right side, front, left side, and back) with preferred dimensions of the humanoid toy. The color scheme ‘PMS’ notated on the figures is from the Pantone® Matching System Color Chart.

Now referring to FIGS. 19 through 28, a series of aesthetic designs and color schemes is shown. Each of the figures shown is identical to the views in FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Skull.

FIG. 20 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Yeti.

FIG. 21 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Robot.

FIG. 22 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Ninja.

FIG. 23 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Luch:A.

FIG. 24 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Toon.

FIG. 25 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Monkey.

FIG. 26 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Spiderman.

FIG. 27 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as The Hulk.

FIG. 28 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid toy known as Luch:B.

The humanoid toys 10 may also be modified in various ways to achieve attachment functions. For example a magnet may be molded into the torso body 14 for adhering to ferrous metals. Various hooks, clips, nails, and or screws may also be molded into the body. Velcro may be adhesively applied to the torso, as can double-sided tape.

A lighting system comprising one or more LEDs and an electrical source such as a small alkaline battery may be integrated into the humanoid toy 10 during manufacture. The LEDs may be activated by various means, including a switch, a motion sensor, or a light sensor. The batteries may optionally be rechargeable.

Another embodiment of the humanoid toy 10 includes articulable limbs. The limbs may be rotated around a joint that connects the limb to the torso 14.

A further embodiment of the humanoid toy 10 comprises a two piece torso that mates or separates after a 90° relative twist between the upper portion torso portion and the lower torso portion. An interior compartment may optionally be formed between the mating torso halves. The compartment can be used for storage and messaging to the amusement of children.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various modifications will be apparent to and might readily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description as set forth herein, but, rather, that the claims be broadly construed. 

I claim:
 1. A humanoid toy for children's play comprising: a torso having limbs including at least one arm and at least one leg, both said limbs extending there from; said at least one arm terminating in a spherical ball hand; and said at least one leg terminating in a spherical shaped foot.
 2. A humanoid toy as in claim 1 and further comprising a socket located in said spherical shaped foot for frictionally receiving a spherical ball hand; whereby a first humanoid toy may be stackably linked to a second humanoid toy by frictionally coupling a spherical ball hand of the first humanoid toy into a socket of the second humanoid toy.
 3. A humanoid toy for children's play comprising comprising: a torso having a pair of arms and a pair of legs, both pairs extending there from; each said arm terminating in a spherical ball hand; and each said leg terminating in a spherical shaped foot having within each said foot a socket for receiving a spherical ball hand. 